1310nm.net

Aquantia deliver workstation mGig (Multi-Gigabit Ethernet)

As part of the roll-out of mGig (IEEE 802.11bz), Aquantia have launched network interface cards for the workstation market. These offer 2.5Gb/s and 5Gb/s connections using existing cables. (See Multi-Gigabit Ethernet is here for details).

Aquantia has launched two NICs that support this technology for the high-end PC market. The AQtion (pronounced “acktion”, perhaps?) AQN-108 supports up to 5Gb/s using the 802.11bz standard. The AQtion AQN-107 adds to this capability by also supporting 10Gb/s over Cat 6A cable, using the IEEE 802.3an standard. The AQN-108 use a PCIe Gen3 x1 connection, the AQN-107 needs the extra bandwidth from a PCIe Gen3 x4 connection. Drivers support Windows 10, 8.1, 8 and 7. Linux kernels 3.2, 3.10, 3.12, 4.2 and 4.4 are supported.

Previously this technology has only been available in switches and Wi-Fi access-points. As Aquantia is the only vendor of 802.11bz silicon, they are looking at expanding the marketplace. Driving end-point density up is good for them. They sell two chips for each connection, one at the switch, and one for the end-device.

Broadcom AVGO 630,12 +19,96 +3,27% and Marvell MRVL 39,48 +0,85 +2,20% can offer alternative mGig silicon. Expect the number of switches and cards available to start to rise. Currently Cisco Cisco Systems, Inc. 47,10 +0,39 +0,83% has broad mGig support with their Catalyst 4500 cards, Catalyst 3850 and Catalyst C3650 switches. Netgear’s Unfortunately, we could not get stock quote NASDAQ:NTGR this time. Prosafe M4200 switch provides 8 ports of mGig. Aruba’s 3810 and 5400R switches from Hewlett Packard Enterprise HPE 14,32 +0,06 +0,42% also support mGig.

Product briefs for the AQtion AQN-107 and AQtion AQN-108 are available.

Thanks to Venturebeat for the heads up: Aquantia’s chips will enable blazing fast local area network games. They obviously are looking at the advantage this will give elite gamers with reduced latency, as every nanosecond counts.

Exit mobile version